Editor’s choice9/10BMWM135i£22,835 – £23,365BMW performance hatch that is also a bit of a bargain. It's not quite a 1M, but it's close.
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk 7)£18,325 – £33,925It defines this sector and should be its default buy. You simply can’t go wrong.
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk8)£18,325 – £33,925New eighth-gen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine
8/10VolkswagenGolf GTI/R£18,325 – £33,925Overlook the fact it’s so good that it’s almost joyless: the latest Golf GTI is very desirable indeed.
8/10VolkswagenGolf Cabriolet£18,325 – £33,925After a classy cabrio but don't have Audi-like cash? Try this. GTI expensive but worth it; R perhaps not
8/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,455 – £23,800Citroen's Fiat Panda - character over driving thrills, but none the worse for that.
8/10Volkswagene-Golf£18,325 – £33,925The e-Golf is an EV that works for most of us, most of the time. A truly convincing electric car.
8/10MazdaCX-5£26,135 – £37,425The CX-5 is a cracking SUV that really will exceed your expectations. Well worth a look.
7/10VolkswagenT-Roc£20,265 – £37,540Just what the market ordered. Stylish crossover for people who don't need family space. But don't dig too deep beyond that
7/10RenaultMegane RS£28,585 – £30,185The Megane RS has a newfound maturity. Better for tackling the Golf GTI, worse for tackling your local trackday
7/10Nissan370Z£27,805 – £38,305Tail-happy dynamics and a meaty V6 powerplant. Don't let the TC spoil your fun
7/10Peugeot308 GTI£20,920 – £30,480Peugeot's hot hatch renaissance continues. The 308 GTI has a joyously wild streak
7/10BMW1 Series£22,835 – £23,365BMW's switch from RWD to FWD for the new hatch is no bad thing. This new 1 Series is a good car from the bottom up.
7/10AudiA3 E-Tron£22,500 – £37,925Not the perfect solution to all your motoring needs, but a great first effort at a useable everyday hybrid.
7/10JaguarXF Sportbrake£37,125 – £54,125Jaguar said its SUVs made new estate cars pointless. It’s built one anyway, and it’s mostly a success.
7/10SeatAlhambra£30,415 – £38,270Seat’s most complete car. It has no real weaknesses – but we just know you’d rather have the VW…
7/10SkodaOctavia Estate£20,680 – £29,700Well thought out, versatile and thoroughly decent family estate. The weeniest bit boring
7/10SkodaOctavia£19,480 – £28,500Solid, gimmick-free all-rounder that’s slightly less good at everything than a Golf, but cheaper for it.
7/10AudiQ2£22,495 – £43,185Not revolutionary, but Q2 is different enough to make you stand out in a crowd.
